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NSI La Jolla (2), 2004
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
This is the Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defense. This was Bobby Fischer's favorite reply to 1.e4. Theory in this variation goes deeper than nearly any other opening variation, with some lines extending into the endgame.
6.Be3 e5
Creating a "Boleslavsky Hole" type position. Black intentionally creates a hole on d5 in exchange for active piece play. White's plan generally involves using his space advantage to attack or place pressure on the d-file. Black's plan involves striving to achieve the d5 pawn break in the center, and attack on the queenside, using the semi-open c-file. The deep strategies in this open can be very difficult for computer or human players to grasp.
7.Nf3 Qc7 8.a4 Be7 9.a5 0-0 10.Be2 Nbd7 11.0-0 b5 12.axb6 Nxb6 13.Nd2 Bb7
Up to this point we have been following theoretical lines.
14.Bd3
The more common move here is 14.Bxb6 Qxb6 15.Nc4 Qc5 16.Ra5 Qc7 17.Qd3 Rfd8 18.Bf3 Rac8 19.b3 += Landa,K-Aronian,L/Cappelle la Grande op 2001 (8)/1/2-1/2.
14...d5 =
Blondie gets its key break in this opening and activates its pieces.
15.exd5
White chooses to complicate the position and probably should before Black has the opportunity to fortify its center. 15.Bxb6 Qxb6 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.exd5 Bxd5 18.b3 Qb7 19.Re1 Bb4= Adams,M-King,D/Blackpool zt 1990/1/2-1/2.
15...Nbxd5
Black gets good play from this move.
16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Qg4
The position calls for a kingside attack, but the question is, what is the best way in? 17.Qh5 does not gain any significant advantage after 17...g6 (17...h6 18.Bxh6 gxh6 19.Qxh6 f5 20.Qg6+ Kh8 21.Bxf5 Rxf5 22.Qxf5 Nf4 23.Rfe1 Rg8 =+) 18.Qe2 Rfd8 =.
17...Bb4?!
This move threatens to win a piece with 18...Nxe3, but the threat can be defended. Black should not surrender the Bishop pair so easily. 17...Nxe3 18.fxe3 Bd5 19.b3= with play for both sides.
18.Qh3 h6 19.Qf5 g6 20.Qh3
Pocket Fritz tacks back and forth attempting to provoke a weakness in Black's position.
20...Nxe3 21.Qxe3 Rfd8 22.Rfd1 Qc5?
This allows White to capture on h6. Black does get his pawn back, but his King is seriously weakened.
23.Qxh6 Bxd2 24.Rxd2 Qd5 25.f3 Qd4+ 26.Kh1 Qxb2 27.Re1 Qb4?
Black needs to try 27...Rd6 28.Rde2 Re8 29.Qh4 Rde6 30.c4 Qb4 31.Rb1 Qe7 =.
28.Bxg6 fxg6 29.Qxg6+ Kh8 30.Qh6+ Kg8 31.Qe6+ Kg7 32.Qxe5+ Kg6 33.Qg3+ Kf6 34.Rde2 Kf7
34...Bd5 35.Re7 Bf7 36.h4 Qxe1+ 37.Qxe1 Rd5 38.g4 Rad8 39.g5+ +- is also good for White.
35.Qg5 Kf8 36.Re7 Qxe1+ 37.Rxe1 Rd7
Black resigns. 1-0
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Pocket Fritz 2.0 - Blondie25 [D32]
NSI La Jolla (3), 2004
1.c4
The English Opening is White's best flank opening choice, leading the game to positional lines. When playing this opening, both sides have to be careful, as this opening has a chameleon-like character, often transposing into other openings.
1...Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.e3 c5 5.d4 Nc6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bb5 Bd6 8.dxc5
Also playable is: 8.0-0 0-0 9.h3 Re8 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.b3 = Piket,J-Van Wely,L/Gouda NED-Top rap/1-0
8...Bxc5
We now have the classic battle of the isolated d-pawn. Black has a weak pawn on the d5 square which White will attempt to blockade, attack, and then destroy as Nimzovitch described. In the meantime, Black will use its space advantage to cramp White and launch an attack generally through the center or kingside.
9.0-0 0-0 10.b3
10.Be2 a6 11.b3 Qd6 12.Bb2 Ba7 = Lorenzo,J-Glavina Rossi,P/El Sauzal op (1)/0-1]
10...Bg4 11.Bb2 a6 12.Be2 Qd6 13.Rc1 Rad8 14.Qc2
This follows the game Portisch,L-Suba,M/Reggio Emilia 8687/0-1
14...d4!
This is a well-time move that gives Black excellent play and eliminating its weak d-pawn. Previously played was 14...Ba7 15.Rfd1 Rfe8 16.a3 h5 17.h3 Bc8 18.Bc4 Ne7 19.Bd3 +/-.
15.Nb5!?
White cannot ease its defensive task through exchanges. With each exchange Black's passed d-pawn will play an increased role in Black's advantage. 15.Rfd1 pinning the d-pawn 15...Bxf3 16.Bxf3 d3 17.Qb1 =+ is better for Black. 15.Nb1 Ba7 16.exd4 Rfe8 17.Rfd1 Qe7 18.h3 Nb4 19.Ba3 Qxe2 20.Qxe2 Rxe2 =+ also leads nowhere.
15...axb5 16.Qxc5 d3!
White has new problems to solve after this good move.
17.Bd1 d2
17...Ne4 18.Qxb5 Bxf3 19.Bxf3 Nd2 20.Rfd1 Nxf3+ 21.gxf3 +=.
18.Rc2 Bxf3 19.Qxd6 Rxd6 20.Bxf3 Nb4
It is unusual to see the Knights dominate the Bishops in the endgame as they do in this position. Usually Bishops have the advantage in open positions.
21.Ba3
21.Rc7!? Nd3 22.Bc3 Ne1 23.Rxe1 dxe1Q+ 24.Bxe1 Ra6 25.Rxb7 Rxa2 26.Rxb5 +=.
21...Nxc2 22.Bxd6 Rd8 23.Be7
23.Be5 Ne1 24.Bd1 Rc8 25.Bxf6 Rc1! 26.Be2 gxf6 -/+ also gives Black a clear advantage.
23...Rd7 24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.g4 Nb4 -/+ 26.Bd1
After 26.a3 Nd3 27.Bd1 Rc7 28.e4 Rc1 -/+
26...Nxa2 27.Kg2 Kf8 28.Kf3 Nc3
White is nearly in zugzwang. It has no effective way to free itself from Black's grip on the position.
29.h4 b6 30.e4!?
White must sacrifice the e-pawn to create play. The alternative 30.Kf4 Ra7 31.Bf3 Ra3 32.b4 Ra4 -+ is an easy win for Black.
30...Rd4 31.Ke3 Rxe4+ 32.Kxd2 Nxd1 33.Rxd1 Rxg4 34.Rh1 h5 35.Rh3
Black is ahead by two pawns, but they are doubled and blockaded. Blondie must activate its King to win the game.
35...Ke7 36.Ke1 f5 37.Ke2 Kd6 38.Rd3+ Ke5 39.Rh3
White bides its time, hoping Black cannot find a way to make progress.
39...f4 40.Rh1 f5 41.Rh3 Rg1 42.Rc3 Rb1 43.Rc6 Rb2+ 44.Kf3 Rxb3+ 45.Ke2 f3+
Black is winning. The rest is just technique.
46.Kd2 Kf4 47.Kc2 Ra3 48.Kb2 Re3! 49.fxe3+ Kxe3 50.Rc3+ Kf4 51.Rc1 f2 52.Kb3 Kf3 53.Kc3 Kg2 54.Rc2 Kg1 55.Kb3 f1Q 56.Rc8 Qb1+ 57.Ka3 b4+ 58.Ka4 b3 59.Kb5 b2 60.Ka6 Qa2+ 61.Kb7 b1Q 62.Rc6 Qe4 63.Kb8 Qh2+ 64.Kb7 Qd6 65.Ka7 Qexc6 66.Ka6 Qa3#
White is checkmated. 0-1