1.e4
c5
2.Nc3
Nc6
3.Bb5
Nd4
4.Bc4
g6
5.Nge2
d6
[5...Bg7
6.Nxd4
cxd4
7.Qf3
Nh6
8.Ne2
is main line]
6.Nxd4
cxd4
7.Qf3!?
This is a tricky move and difficult to play against if black is unfamiliar with the opening
7...e6?
After this move, white gets a big advantage [7...dxc3?
doesn't work 8.Bxf7+
Kd7
9.Qh3+
e6
(9...Kc7
10.Qxc3+
) 10.Qxe6+
Kc7
11.Qc4+
Kb8
12.Bxg8
; 7...Nh6
8.Ne2
Bg7
9.d3
Bg4
10.Qg3
Bxe2
11.Kxe2=
; 7...Nf6
8.Ne2
Qb6
9.c3
dxc3
10.bxc3=
]
8.Nb5
Bg7
Amazingly, this is my fourth game reaching this position. three of my opponents (all of whom were masters) walked into this position against me at World Open. The move order varied slightly, occuring after 5... Bg7 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Qf3 e6? 8. Nb5 d6
9.Qa3
Be5
10.c3
dxc3
[10...d5!?
11.cxd4
Bb8
12.exd5
exd5
13.Bb3+/-
Black survives but is down a pawn]
11.d4
black faces many problems and will have to give up material
11...cxb2
12.Bxb2
Bf4
13.g3
a6
14.gxf4
axb5
15.Qxa8
bxc4
16.Qa4+
Bd7
17.Qxc4
Nf6
18.Qd3
[18.d5!
A much stronger move that Andrew pointed out to me after the game. 18...exd5
19.Qd4!+-
]
18...Nh5!?
Black is finding ways to exploit white's weaknesses. It is not as easy as it seems to convert for a win.
19.Qd2
Qh4
20.Ba3
Nxf4
21.0-0-0
[21.Bxd6
Ng2+
22.Kf1
Qh3
Things become unclear (22...Qxe4
23.Qg5
) ]
21...0-0?!
[21...Bb5!?
A move that my coach Dmitry Gurevich pointed out. Black activates his pieces and has good compensation for the exchange 22.Bxd6
]
22.Bxd6
Now I am able to convert my material advantage without too much difficulty
22...Rc8+
23.Kb1
Nh3
24.f3
Qh5
25.Rhf1
Bb5
26.Rc1
Rd8
27.Rc5
Qh4
28.Bg3
Qe7
29.Rxb5
Qa3
30.Rb3
Qa6
31.Rc1
Ra8
32.Rbc3
1-0