Tunbridge Wells Chess Congress - Major - Round Four
Sunday 9 June 2019
White: Keith Nevols (157) - Black: Richard Bedwell (138)
Ruy Lopez
I arrived for the second day in a better mood. Despite three lost games, two of which were saved, I still had an outside chance of a prize if I won both of today's games.
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 Nf6
The Berlin defence, best known for its use by Vladimir Kramnik in his world championship match with Gary Kasparov in 2000. I adopt the quieter line.
4. d3 d6
5. h3
Not in theory but simply to prevent a Black Bg4.
5. …. Be7
6. O-O O-O
7. c3
I was not attracted by 7. Bxc6 and played the text partly to give the bishop a safe square after a6 and b5, and also to prepare d4.
7. … Bd7
8. Re1 Na5?!
Black forces the exchange of the white squared bishops. With my pawns on white squares, this suits me.
9. Bxd7 Nxd7
10. Nbd2
The first of four consecutive knights moves. 10. b4 Nc6 11. a4 would give White space and the initiative.
10. …. Bf6
I did not understand this move, as it stops Black from any f5 options, but the engine recommends it. I guess it was to keep an eye on White's options of playing d4. Instead I continue my knight tour.
11. Nf1 Nc6
12. Ne3 g6
13. Nd5 Bg7
Tour complete. The knight has a good square.
14. Bg5 f6
Opening the a2-g8 diagonal towards the Black king, and I spot the chance of a tactic.
15. Be3
15. Bh4 might be considered to be more precise, as the Bishop remains on an active diagonal and the knight has a retreat square if it needs it. Now Black needs to play 15. .. Kh8. After which, 16. Qb3 Nb6 is a waste of time and so 16. d4 is worth some consideration.
15. .....Ne7?
I tried hard to see what Black would get for this pawn sacrifice and could not see that he gets enough. My queen will not get trapped. However, my opponent explained afterwards that he had simply overlooked the loss of the b-pawn.
16. Nxe7 Qxe7
17. Qb3+ Qf7
18. Qxb7 Nb6
19. Qc6 Rad8
20. a4!
Exploiting the fact that Black cannot play a5, which would lose a pawn after Bxb6.
20. …. Qd7
21. Qxd7
And exploiting the fact that Black cannot retake with the knight, as if 21. .. Nxd7 then 22. Bxa7 c5 23. a5 will save the bishop from getting trapped, and White will be two pawns up.
21. …. Rxd7
22. a5 Nc8
Black's pieces are not very well placed. The bishop is blocked, the rooks are not connected, and the knight is on the back rank. However, it would not take long to sort these out so White needs to keep up the initiative.
23. b4
My opponent said he was concerned about 23. Ra3 and coming down to b7. I had not considered this, but Black does get counterplay with 23. .. d5. (24. Bc5 dxe4! 25. dxe4 Rfd8). Instead my plan was to gain space on the queenside and try to squash his pieces.
23. …. c6
24. Rab1 a6
I decided to improve the position of my knight, but 24. c4 would be better, trying to get a passed pawn on the queenside. Instead Black begins his counterplay while I waste some time.
25. Nd2?! f5
26. Nb3
The knight should have been left where it was. On the b3 square it is in the way.
26. ..... f4
27. Bd2 Ne7
28. c4
Now comes some shuffling of pieces as I try to find a way through.
28. ….. Rc8
29. Rb2 Rb7
30. Reb1 Rd8
31. f3
Closing down the kingside, so I can concentrate on how I can break through on the queenside.
31. …. Bf6
Planning to come to h4 and use the open h4-e1 diagonal.
32. Nc1 d5
33. Ne2
Black has made his counterpush but White should not have been afraid of it. 33. cxd5 cxd5 34. b5 dxe4 and then 35. fxe4 axb5 36. Rxb5 (or 35. dxe4 Rxb5 36. Rxb5 axb5 37. Nc3) and there is the passed pawn that I wanted.
33. ... dxc4
34. dxc4 Rbd7
This looks OK and I began to worry, but I wonder if 34. .. Nc8 is an improvement, coming to d6 to attack the c4 pawn and cover the b5 square.
35. Bc3 Bg7
White was threatening to win a pawn with Nf4 - hence this retreat.
36. Nc1!
I saw the nice c5 square and decide to re-route my knight there. 36. b5 will again force a passed pawn but I was not sure I could get it through. Black seemed to have the resources to hold it up.
36. ..... Kf7
37. Nb3 Rd3
38. Rc2 Bf6?
Black decides to stake on a counter attack. But I thought I had everything covered.
38. .. Ra8 or 38. .. R3d7 39. Nc5 Ra7 holds on.
39. Nc5 Rd1+
40. Rxd1 Rxd1+
41. Kf2
41. Kh2?? would have led to 41. .. Bh4 42. g4 Bg3+ 43. Kg2 g5! with Ng6 to follow and suddenly it is White facing defeat.
41. ...…. Bh4+
42. Ke2 Rg1
43. Kd3
When playing 39. Nc5, I had seen this position and that my King could escape via the d3 square, and if 43. .. Rd1+ then 44. Rd2 Rb1 45. Kc2.
43. ...… Rf1
Why not grab a pawn?
44. Bxe5 g5
45. Nxa6
Black is lost but one final mistake.
45. .....Bf2?
46. Ke2
Black will lose a piece and so he resigned.
I was very pleased with this game and, although my play could have been better, was satisfied that I had controlled the game well.
No comments:
Post a Comment